Fortress in the News
Mixed Reactions on Looming DOE NOPR for Bulk Power System Security
The Department of Energy (DOE) will issue a notice of proposed rule-making (NOPR) to implement President Trump’s broad bulk power system (BPS) security executive order (EO) “later this fall,” a DOE official confirmed to POWER on Oct. 5. Though the NOPR is delayed beyond the 150-day timeframe set by the EO, various BPS stakeholders are awaiting...
Power Sector, Federal Entities Scramble to Close Supply Chain Security Gaps
Marking another major federal effort to address potential supply chain risks to the bulk power system (BPS), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Sept. 17 sought industry’s perspective on a number of important considerations, including possible actions the regulatory body could take to address security gaps. The U.S.-based power...
FERC investigates risk of foreign adversary-supplied bulk power equipment, with focus on Huawei, ZTE
If utilities are forced to pull suspect components from the grid then the cost implications could be significant, according to Tobias Whitney, vice president of energy security solutions at Fortress Information Security. The average utility could spend $9 million up front to address the order and over $1.2 million per year to maintain a...
Security experts cast doubt on FERC, NERC cyber intrusion response report findings
Utilities are working hard to keep hackers out of their networks, but intrusions do occur. FERC and NERC's new report focuses on common elements found among effective Incident Response and Recovery (IRR) plans.
Power Companies Brace For Supply Chain Shake-Up From New Cyber Rules
Many electricity companies and vendors are holding their breath as the Trump administration finalizes new limits on foreign equipment in an effort to bolster the U.S. power grid’s cybersecurity. The May 1 executive order to cut reliance on suppliers from countries like China leaves in a lurch power companies that rely on global supply chains for...
Proposed rules to protect power grid raise concerns
Energy industry owners and operators are growing increasingly nervous about new rules proposed by the Trump administration in an effort to limit foreign threats to the grid. The rules, proposed by an executive order to protect the bulk power system signed by President Trump in May, could severely restrict the ability for grid equipment and other...
Proposed rules to protect bulk power grid from foreign targeting raise concerns
Energy industry owners and operators are growing increasingly nervous about new rules proposed by the Trump administration in an effort to limit foreign threats to the grid. The rules, proposed by an executive order to protect the bulk power system signed by President Trump in May, could severely restrict the ability for grid equipment and other...
Concerns Raised Over Plan to Protect Nation’s Power Grid
Proposed regulations by the Trump administration to reduce threats from foreign countries to the nation’s power grid are increasingly worrying energy industry owners and operators, The Hill reported on Sunday. “The recognition that certain assets in the system are used on the grid should not be supplied by a certain adversarial country, that...
A2V Network Promotes Energy Grid Cybersecurity
The Asset to Vendor (A2V) Network for power utilities, a joint venture between Fortress Information Security and American Electric Power (AEP) birthed in November, 2019, aims to promote collaboration among electric companies to protect the U.S. power grid from cyber threats.
Hitachi ABB Joins Supply Chain Security Network
Hitachi ABB Power Grids has agreed to join the Asset to Vendor Network for Power Utilities, a cybersecurity-focused information sharing network for the North American grid.
Hitachi ABB Power Grids Joins Effort to Protect Power Utilities from Cyber Threats
Hitachi ABB Power Grids is joining with Fortress Information Security (Fortress) as a participant in its Asset to Vendor Network (A2V), which will enable the company to quickly and seamlessly share information about its cybersecurity preparedness with United States and Canada-based power utilities. Leading companies such as American Electric...
Is the electric grid closer to a devastating cyberattack that could mean lights out?
Could the electric grid really be taken down with a $50 device secreted in the bottom of a coffee cup as some researchers have claimed? Perhaps. But the more likely threat comes from bad actors with markedly improved capabilities who’ve ramped up their attacks on critical infrastructure and utilities. Consider that 70 percent of industrial...
Utilities face growing ransomware threat as hackers improve strategy, execution
The energy industry faces an increasing threat from financially-motivated hackers. Experts say more companies are paying, and ransoms are rising.
Orlando cybersecurity startup makes top 100 list
An Orlando cybersecurity startup has been recognized as one of the top young companies in the space. Fortress Information Security, which protects supply chains from attacks, landed on Cyber Defense Magazine’s Top 100.
A2V teams with utilities to secure supply chain
Utilities are gearing up to meet the security requirements laid out in the Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Security Compliance Standards: NERC Critical Infrastructure (NERC-CIP) standards and waiting to see how a presidential executive order, also designed at securing bulk power systems (BPS), shakes out. That’s created an opportunity...
Damage at Natanz, maybe cyber-induced but maybe not. Official Huawei skepticism spreads. Big European dragnet. Hushpuppi in custody.
Our guest is Tobias Whitney from Fortress Information Security on the Asset to Vendor Network (A2V).
Utilities Team Up to Face Growing Cybersecurity Risks to Supply Chains
Southern Co. has joined American Electric Power Co. in a partnership to vet vendors and analyze potential risks to the thousands of firms that comprise their supply chains, company officials said. The partnership, called the Asset to Vendor Network for Power Utilities, is intended to cut legwork and costs for internal security teams.
FERC considers transmission incentives for voluntary cybersecurity investments
"The rate of change in technology and cybersecurity is quicker than what we can keep up with from a regulatory perspective," Tobias Whitney, vice president of energy security solutions at Fortress Information Security, told Utility Dive.
Utility ransomware attacks becoming more sophisticated, new ‘honeypot’ operation finds
Cybereason's honeypot operation — in which hackers are lured to break into a fake ICS network to study their methods — revealed increasingly targeted tactics and resulted in a dire warning for the electric sector and critical infrastructure more broadly.
Trump’s grid security order sows confusion in power sector — but don’t expect a quick fix
In May, President Donald Trump issued an executive order blocking the installation of bulk power system (BPS) equipment sourced from adversaries of the United States. Grid security is a major concern, but experts say the White House order is vague — and the process to translate it into enforceable regulations could stretch into next year.
Southern Company partners with A2V to enhance utility cybersecurity
The Asset to Vendor Network for Power Utilities (A2V) announced the signing of Southern Company, as the group’s first new partner, on Monday. Founded by Fortress Information Security (Fortress) and American Electric Power (AEP), A2V was created to allow power companies to share vital cyber-threat information and bolster cyber defenses, while...
Fortress’ Asset to Vendor Network announces first new partner to secure U.S. power grid
The Asset to Vendor Network for Power Utilities (A2V) announced the group’s first new partner. Founded by Fortress Information Security (Fortress) and American Electric Power (AEP), A2V was formed to create a security partnership that allows power companies to share vital cyber-threat information and bolster cyber defenses. Atlanta-based Southern...
Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) News: 03 June 2020
Keep an eye on a group called A2V (short for the Asset to Vendor Network for Power Utilities). The A2V group, founded by Fortress Information Security and American Electric Power (AEP), was formed to help power companies share vital cyber-threat information and bolster cyber defenses. A2V’s first partner is Southern Company, a major utility...
A2V selected to strengthen Southern Company’s cyber defenses
The Atlanta-based Southern Company has partnered with the Asset to Vendor Network for Power Utilities (A2V) as a means of securing its cyber defenses and reducing overall operating and maintenance costs associated with cybersecurity compliance.
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